The Long Island North Shore Heritage Area (LINSHA), a plan to help encourage historic tourism is getting closer to becoming a reality. The LINSHA planning commission met on Thursday, Oct. 31 at Planting Fields Arboretum Historic State Park to plan on the next step in the process. Last summer they received a $200,000 matching grant from the New York Department Secretary of State Randy Daniels, that will be administered through the Town of Huntington. Michael Hollander, president of LINSHA (and Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau president) said since that time they have been working to get the needed matching funds to free the grant money from the state. FULL STORY

James Smiros, Oyster Bay-East Norwich school board member gave the Waterfront gala his stamp of approval: "It was swank," he said. Mr. Smiros heads the architectural firm of Smiros & Smiros known for creating million dollar mansions worldwide. The Waterfront Gala was the opening event for Oyster Festival 2002, and was held on Friday night, Oct. 18 under an elegant white tent nestled on the former Jakobson Shipyard property on the Oyster Bay waterfront. The festival itself was held on Oct. 19 and 20. FULL STORY

Players of the week: Kristen Hanley and Alyssa Perciballi had great goals. The Twisters goalie Elizabeth was outstanding. Madeley Velasquez applied great pressure on defense and showed excellent ball handling. Casey Quinn hustled throughout the game. FULL STORY